Look back at pharma news to Mar 24

By Barbara Obstoj-Cardwell. Editor

The new US President Donald Trump suffered a major defeat on Friday, as his flagship legislation to repeal what is commonly referred to as Obamacare, failed to gain sufficient support. Also making headlines was Eli Lilly’s planned investment on infrastructure; a promising abuse-deterrent opioid drug; recommended European approval of a new hemophilia drug; and a setback for Novartis’ serelaxin.

The withdrawal of new healthcare legislation in the USA signalled the failure of Mr Trump’s exhaustive last-minute efforts to cajole lawmakers, raising questions about whether he could unify Republicans behind his pro-growth legislative goals of tax reform and infrastructure spending, stated the Financial Times. Mr Trump said he was 10-15 votes short of the majority needed to pass the bill, but declined to criticise Republicans. Instead he sought to blame Democrats, even though his party has enough lawmakers to pass legislation if it stays united.